TOTBİD Dergisi

TOTBİD Dergisi

2022, Cilt 21, Sayı, 3     (Sayfalar: 325-332)

Earthquake injuries and amputation, our observations and recommendations

Mehmet Fethi Ceylan 1, Sancar Serbest 2, Necip Güven 3

1 İnönü Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Ortopedi ve Travmatoloji Ana Bilim Dalı, Malatya
2 Kırıkkale Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Ortopedi ve Travmatoloji Ana Bilim Dalı, Kırıkkale
3 Van Yüzüncü Yıl Üniversitesi Tıp Fakültesi, Ortopedi ve Travmatoloji Ana Bilim Dalı, Van

DOI: 10.5578/totbid.dergisi.2022.44
Görüntüleme: 1373
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İndirme : 2052

Making the decision to protect or amputate the injured extremities in a patient who developed crush syndrome in earthquakes is a controversial issue. While making this decision: the general condition and additional health problems of the patient, response to conservative treatment, the degree of injury of extremity, availability of hospitals in the earthquake area and the experience of health professionals, whether close monitoring can be done, whether there are equipped hospitals close to the disaster area and patient referral opportunities should be taken into consideration. Therefore, the decision giving to preserve or amputate a crushed limb: it will vary from patient to patient and according to current conditions. When the conditions are met, amputation of the extremity of the victim should not be considered as a loss of limb, but as an attempt to save life. The turmoil caused by the lack of planning before the earthquake, obstructs us from using our human or material resources effectively and increases our losses after the earthquake. In order to minimize our losses in the earthquakes expected in the near future, we should share our experiences and make a good planning beforehand. First of all, we should establish a study committee on disasters within our association (Turkish Society of Orthopaedics and Traumatology, TOTBID). We have to ensure the coordination of other branches, official and civil aid organizations with our volunteer colleagues who have field experience in earthquakes and other disasters we have experienced before, and therefore, we have to minimize our losses.

Anahtar Kelimeler : earthquake; crush syndrome; amputation; study committee